Quote Originally Posted by Grist_To_The_Mill View Post
It's a throw back to the "good old days" when all seater stadiums were less common.

The player running towards the crowd would cause a surge forward of fans.

Ok for the big and fit but a problem for the kids and elderly that might be at the front.

The bigger issue here though is how thick the players are, they know the rule but they still do it. Ditto the taking off of shirts.

Make the offence an automatic red card and the problem would disappear.
Although I think it is a pathetic rule, it IS a rule (though I fully understand it now you have explained why it was before).

Forget red cards. Deduct clubs a point and fine the player 2 weeks wages and it will soon stop it.

Just like diving. If a player is found to dive via tv evidence (a panel of experts to decide, whether the ref saw it or not), deduct the club a point and fine the player 4 week's wages straight away. I GUARANTEE we would kick diving out of the game, 100%. It's the only way.